going to crack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to crack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is about to break or fail, either literally or figuratively, often due to pressure or stress. Example: "If you keep pushing him like that, he's going to crack under the pressure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something is going to crack; something is going to explode.

The New Yorker

How are we going to crack this thing?

Independent

"I think they're going to crack down," he said.

The New York Times

But while you hold that downward dog I am just going to crack a window.

The New Yorker

"But their budget is small, and they are not going to crack down on small businesses".

The New York Times

I really thought he was going to crack up there, in front of the Flexball poster.

The New Yorker

It is the only way they are going to crack it.

The Guardian - Business

"I thought sometimes they were going to crack, and they didn't".

The New York Times - Sports

You could tell that, long range, you were never going to crack it without using steroids".

The New York Times

We are going to crack it, because it's essential to the growth of the game".

The New York Times - Sports

This time, they insist, they're going to crack down on their extremists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going to crack" to describe a situation or person under significant pressure, nearing a breaking point. It can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "going to crack" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it may sound too informal. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "about to collapse" or "on the verge of failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to crack" functions as a future tense construction, indicating an event or state that is highly probable to occur. It is often used to express the imminence of a breakdown, whether literal or figurative. Ludwig confirms the usability of this phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going to crack" is a common and acceptable English expression used to describe an impending breakdown or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used to convey a sense of something nearing its breaking point, applicable both to tangible objects and abstract situations. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase carries a neutral to slightly informal tone, making it suitable for various contexts except for highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives such as ""about to break"" or ""on the verge of collapse"" may be more appropriate in those settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to suggest that a situation or person is under significant strain and nearing a breaking point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to break

Indicates imminence of failure or collapse, similar to cracking but with a broader sense of potential outcomes.

on the verge of collapse

Emphasizes the precarious state and nearness to complete failure.

ready to crumble

Highlights the decaying aspect and imminent disintegration.

about to snap

Suggests a sudden, forceful break due to built-up tension.

on the breaking point

Focuses on reaching the limit of endurance or tolerance.

ready to give way

Implies a yielding or surrendering under pressure.

about to explode

Suggests a sudden, violent release of pent-up pressure or emotion.

on the precipice of failure

Highlights the nearness to failure, emphasizing the critical and delicate situation.

about to falter

Implies a wavering or weakening before a potential fall.

on thin ice

Implies being in a risky or precarious situation that could easily lead to failure.

FAQs

How can I use "going to crack" in a sentence?

You can use "going to crack" to indicate that something or someone is about to break or fail under pressure. For example: "If you keep pushing him like that, he's going to crack under the pressure."

What are some alternatives to "going to crack"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "about to break", "on the verge of collapse", or "ready to crumble".

Is "going to crack" too informal for academic writing?

In certain contexts, yes. While grammatically correct, "going to crack" may sound too informal for academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "about to fail" or "on the precipice of failure".

When is it appropriate to use "going to crack"?

"Going to crack" is appropriate in everyday conversation, news reports, and less formal writing where you want to convey a sense of impending failure or breakdown due to pressure or stress.